Overview of congenital genitourinary anomalies

[Marquetta]

Congenital anatomic anomalies of the genitourinary tract are more common than those of any other organ system.
Urinary tract anomalies predispose patients to many complications, including urinary tract infection, obstruction, stasis, calculus formation, and impaired renal function. Congenital urinary tract anomalies discussed here are

Bladder anomalies
Prune-belly syndrome
Renal anomalies
Ureteral anomalies
Vesicoureteral reflux

Genital anomalies may cause voiding or sexual dysfunction, impaired fertility, psychosocial difficulties, or a combination. Congenital genital anomalies discussed here are

Cryptorchidism
Penile and urethral anomalies
Testicular and scrotal anomalies
Vaginal anomalies

Genitourinary anomalies frequently require surgical reconstruction.
Many anomalies are diagnosed in utero via routine prenatal ultrasonography. Some congenital renal anomalies (eg, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, medullary sponge kidney, hereditary nephritis) typically do not manifest until adulthood.